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SAMOA-DEATH-TOLL
Samoa’s measles death toll climbs to 53
SUVA, Dec 2, 2019 (BSS/XINHUA) – Samoa’s Ministry of Health confirmed on
Monday five more deaths in the island nation’s measles epidemic, bringing the
death toll to 53 since the measles outbreak in Mid-October.
According to a government statement on Monday, of the 53 deaths, 48 are
children under four years old, with five fatalities in the last 24 hours.
The Ministry of Health said that a total of 3,728 measles cases have been
recorded to the Disease Surveillance Team so far, with 198 cases reported in
the last 24 hours.
A total of 183 people are now hospitalized with measles.
Currently, Samoa is in a state of emergency, with all schools closed, a
mass vaccination campaign underway and public gatherings in the nation
restricted.
A total of 32,743 vaccinations were completed before the Mass Vaccination
Campaign. Since the activation of the Mass Vaccination Campaign on Nov. 20
2019, the ministry has successfully vaccinated 58,150 individuals in the
nation.
In a related development, Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele
Malielegaoi urged on Monday all Samoans to work together to deal with the
measles epidemic. He also announced that the public service and all
government services will be closed on Dec.5-6 in order to allow all public
servants to assist with the mass vaccination campaign throughout the country
except for the utilities (Water and Electricity).
In Fiji, the government said on Monday that there are now 15 confirmed
cases of measles since the last update on Nov. 28.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that is transmitted via
droplets from the nose, mouth or throat of infected persons. Death may occur
in up to 5-10 percent of infected young children in developing countries.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1526 hrs